Landscape Gardner

The Landscape Gardener is responsible for the maintenance, enhancement, and presentation of the historic gardens, grounds, and estate at Howth Castle & Estate. The successful candidate will carry out a wide range of horticultural and grounds maintenance duties to ensure the estate is maintained to a high standard throughout the year.

Key Responsibilities

• Plant, cultivate, and maintain trees, shrubs, flowers, hedges, and planted beds.
• Maintain formal and informal gardens to a high horticultural standard.
• Carry out grass cutting, strimming, edging, and lawn care across the estate.
• Maintain estate roads, pathways, and surrounding landscaped areas.
• Prune trees, shrubs, hedges, and climbing plants using appropriate horticultural techniques.
• Weed, mulch, water, fertilise, and monitor plant health.
• Operate and maintain horticultural machinery and equipment, including ride-on and pedestrian mowers, hedge cutters, strimmers, leaf blowers, and other grounds maintenance equipment.
• Assist with seasonal planting programmes and landscape improvement projects.
• Ensure all work is carried out safely and in accordance with health and safety regulations.
• Maintain a clean, tidy, and safe working environment.
• Report maintenance issues, plant diseases, pest infestations, or hazards to the Estate Manager.
• Support the wider estate team during events and other operational activities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma in Horticulture, Landscape Gardening, or a related discipline, or NVQ Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification in Horticulture or Landscape Management.

Essential Experience

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in landscape gardening or estate grounds maintenance.
• Practical experience in planting, pruning, lawn care, and garden maintenance.
• Experience operating grounds maintenance machinery and equipment.
• Good knowledge of horticultural practices, plant identification, and seasonal maintenance requirements.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong practical horticultural skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• High attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards.
• Physically fit and capable of working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• A positive, flexible, and proactive approach to work.

Desirable

• PA1/PA6 pesticide application certification.
• Chainsaw certification.
• Full clean Category B driving licence.
• Experience working on a historic estate, public gardens, or heritage property.

Working Hours

Full-time, with flexibility to work occasional weekends or evenings to support estate events and seasonal requirements.

Reporting To

Golf course superintendent.